Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Day 2 Entries: A strong team lines up on Wednesday
Gordon Elliott will have a bumper amount of horses running at Cheltenham on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, and Steve Chambers takes a look at the Cullentra House string taking their chance on Wednesday...
13:30 - Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
All eyes will be on the Willie Mullins-trained Sir Gerhard, who is a hot favourite for the Ballymore, but Gordon Elliott will saddle a lively challenger in the shape of Three Stripe Life, who was fourth in last season's Champion Bumper, and he has continued to improve this season over hurdles.
A winner on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, he then chased home Mighty Potter in a Grade 1 next time out, while he was last seen finishing second behind Sir Gerhard in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown in February, so he will have form to turn around with that hotpot here.
14:10 - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
They may both be hovering around the 16/1 mark for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, but both Fury Road and Farouk D'Alene have some smart form in the book and add an intriguing angle to this race, which sees the British trio of Bravemansgame, L'Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor dominate the betting.
A Grade 1 winner two starts ago, Fury Road failed to follow that up in the same grade when well beaten by Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown in February, but he has shown he can deliver at the highest level, so has to be respected. Farouk D'Alene warmed up for this contest with a Grade 2 win over Beacon Edge in the Ten Up Novice Chase, but he will need to step up on that effort to make the frame here.
14:50 - Coral Cup
Seven of the 26 runners in the Coral Cup are trained by Gordon Elliott, and his main fancy will be the hugely exciting Saint Felicien, who is battling it out for favouritism in this 2m 5f handicap hurdle, and he's shaped like there could be a lot more to come over timber, and he has to be considered.
Indigo Breeze and Grand Roi are both around the 16/1 mark for this event and have shown signs they could run a decent race in this fiercely competitive event, while the other four Elliott-trained runners are the top-weighted The Bosses Oscar, Commander Of Fleet, Tronador and Mars Harper.
16:10 - Cross Country Chase
Gordon Elliott will look to mastermind a mind-boggling sixth Cheltenham Festival win with the legendary Tiger Roll, who is set for his farewell appearance in the Cross Country Chase, and the dual Grand National winner is warm order to win a fourth Cross Country race on Wednesday afternoon. A runaway winner of this event 12 months ago, Tiger Roll will not be heading to Aintree for next month's Grand National, so he can be fully tuned up for this event, and he's going to be tough to beat.
Elliott will saddle two other contenders in this event and last year's fourth Alpha Des Obeaux will be a huge outsider for this contest, while the former Grade 1 performer Delta Work is a fascinating addition to the Elliott squad in this year's Cross Country Chase, and it will be fascinating to see how he acts over the idiosyncratic course.
16:50 - Grand Annual Handicap Chase
The penultimate race on the card is the Grand Annual, and both of the Elliott-trained runners stand a terrific chance of landing the prize as both Buddy Rich and Andy Dufresne have some smart form in the book, and should both challenge for glory in the 2m event.
Buddy Rich impressed two starts ago when winning a beginners chase, while he built on that effort when fourth in a competitive handicap contest last time out, and lining up off a mark of 144 he looks a player. Andy Dufresne has only been seen once this season, but he was an excellent runner-up to Captain Guinness in a Grade 3 contest in his sole start, and with him sure to improve for that effort he can play a primary role in this event.
17:30 - Champion Bumper
Well fancied for the Champion Bumper for a long time, American Mike will look to show that he is the next star off the Elliott production line when he lines up in the Champion Bumper, but in Facile Vega he will have a huge adversary in the Wednesday finale, as that classy youngster aims to land the prize for Willie Mullins.
Flawless so far in his career American Mike will be joined by stablemate Music Drive, who was a taking winner at Naas a few weeks ago, and he will be looking to step up on that effort, but this is a much tougher contest and for all money it looks like American Mike will be the most likely Elliott winner, if the Cullentra House handler is to bag victory here.